There are a few simple steps that you can take to ensure that your paintings and photographs will be enjoyed for many years to come.

      High humidity areas such as bathrooms and kitchens are less than desirable. Moisture and humidity can damage painting surfaces and can even penetrate the glass coverings and frames of photographs, causing the photographic paper that the image is printed on to warp or curl. Grease and smoke residue from cooking can eventually produce a gummy layer on the surface of a painting, so if you want your artwork to be in good condition for a long time it's best to avoid these areas for display of your fine art.

      Paintings hung in or near kitchens or dining rooms somehow become susceptible to food particles and drink splashes and droplets adorning their surfaces! This is one reason that I've never exhibited my paintings in restaurants. I have seen paintings in restaurants with food residue on them.

      Sunlight is your work of art's best friend, and its worst enemy: hang a painting where sunlight will enter through windows and illuminate the painting at various hours of the day and you will get to see the painting change dramatically in the changing light, revealing differences in texture, color, etc. At the same time that sunlight is fading the colors of your painting, or photograph. If, as some people do, you have purchased a particular painting or photograph and you wish to get the maximum enjoyment from it during your lifetime and then you're not concerned about what condition it's in when others inherit it, then hang it and display it where you please. If, however, you plan to pass the photograph or painting on to others for generations to come, as most people do, then use caution in displaying the work of art.

      Once or twice a year very gently dust the surface of your painting with a clean sable (makeup brush), badger-hair, or soft white bristle Japanese brush. Use this brush only for dusting the surface of your painting. Never use compressed air as you could damage the surface of the painting or actually blow some of the surface layers of paint off! Use a soft, clean cloth to dust the frame if it needs it.

      Utilize the same ordinary care that you would with any object that you value and treasure and your painting or photograph will be around for you, and others, to enjoy for generations to come.